What is a safeguarding concern?

Earlier in the course, we discussed that safeguarding is about preventing any kind of harm or abuse from occurring.  To do this, it is important that we can recognise a safeguarding concern.

‘A safeguarding concern’: What does this mean?

A safeguarding concern is when you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or adult because of something that is seen or heard, or information which has been given to you. 

It means a worry which needs to be reported.

Think back to the first part of the course and the scenario about the youth ski training camp living conditions.

The following types of risks were identified:

• Missed education for the children increasing the risk of harm to their educational development.
• Unsafe water and sanitation facilities increasing the risk of harm to physical health.
• Lack of care and effective supervision as well as sub-standard sleeping conditions increasing the risk of harm to children’s emotional and mental health. 

Concerns may be about actual harm or abuse, or they may be about situations that increase the risk of harm or abuse happening in the future. 

For each question on the next page, decide which of these statements are common ways you may hear about safeguarding concerns.